UPDATE: Iowa City Denies Fieldhouse Liquor License Renewal

UPDATE 2-20-26

The Iowa City City Council voted this week to deny Fieldhouse Bar and Grill's liquor license renewal, according to KCRG. The city argues that the business is operating like a bar despite being licensed as a restaurant, which violates city code. KCRG reports that Fieldhouse owner Tracy Barkalow believes the city is going against state laws.

According to KCRG, a city ordinance prohibits bars from operating within 500 feet of each other, which prevents Fieldhouse from getting a bar liquor license.

Barkalow says the court fight is far from over.

ORIGINAL STORY 1-27-26

An Iowa City bar that had its liquor license suspended continues to serve alcohol. That is because the bar is appealing that suspension.

Fieldhouse Bar and Grill in Iowa City has License Suspended

KCRG reports that the Iowa City City Council voted to suspend the liquor license of Fieldhouse Bar and Grill in Iowa City for a period of two weeks. The council says it approved the suspension because the bar wasn't following city rules. Fieldhouse owner Tracy Barkalow is appealing the decision, which puts a hold on the suspension, according to KCRG.

Which Rules Did the Bar Violate?

According to KCRG, the city is questioning the bar's liquor license classification. An attorney for the city stated that Fieldhouse "violated local ordinances in obtaining a liquor license for all three floors of 128 South Clinton Street because it is not operating as a restaurant as it represented."  Liquor licenses differ between bars and restaurants. The Fieldhouse license is for a restaurant, but KCRG reports that city officials aren't convinced that the "principal business of Fieldhouse is pizza."

Barkalow believes the city isn't being fair in its characterization of the bar and that it is being more restrictive than the state of Iowa. The Fieldhouse first opened in 1975 and is currently in its third location at 138 South Clinton Street in Iowa City.

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KCRG reports that a court filing will be heard in Johnson County District Court starting February 25th.